The Harmattan wind was sharp that morning, much like Nii Tackie’s mood. The year had been brutal, with tight deadlines and endless meetings. As a project manager in a fast-paced tech firm, Nii felt like he was holding the world together—at the cost of his own sanity.
On this particular Tuesday, Nii noticed something unusual as he entered the office. Colorful sticky notes were plastered across the conference room glass. Scribbled on them were heartfelt messages:
• “Thank you for always showing up for us.”
• “Your leadership kept me going this year.”
• “Nii, you’re our MVP!”
Before he could process it, Afia, his team lead, popped out with a grin. “Surprise!” she called, holding a box of cupcakes.
“What’s going on?” Nii asked, bewildered.
“We know how hard you’ve worked this year,” Afia said. “So, today is about you. We’re managing you for a change.”
The team ushered him into the conference room, now transformed into a mini celebration. Snacks lined the table, and Nii’s favorite highlife playlist played softly in the background. Each team member took a moment to share how he had impacted them during the year.
“Remember when you stayed late to help me debug that code?” Kojo said. “I never thanked you properly.”
“Or when you covered for me during that client call while I was at the hospital with my son,” Abena added.
Nii sat there, stunned. For months, he had been running on fumes, unaware of how much his work had mattered to others. Afia handed him a small gift—a journal titled “Moments of Gratitude”. Inside, the team had written: “Nii, you’re amazing. Don’t forget to take care of yourself too.”
That evening, walking home under the crisp Harmattan breeze, Nii Tackie felt lighter. His workload hadn’t changed, but his perspective had. For the first time in months, he smiled—a genuine, unhurried smile. Bliss, he realized, wasn’t about escaping work; it was about finding meaning within it.
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